Apple offers more iPad options then ever. There's the all-new iPad Pro in 9.7-inchs and 12.9 inches, the iPad Air 2 at 9.7-inches, and the iPad mini 4 and iPad Mini 2 at 7.9-inches. It's not just the screen sizes that vary either, the processors go from ridiculous to ludicrous, and the prices... they go up too. So, do you go with small, big, or bigger? Portable or powerful? Which iPad should you get?

iPad models and price points

Up-front vs. total cost of ownership

The iPad mini 2 now starts at $269, making it the cheapest iPad ever. The iPad Air 2 starts at $399, as does the iPad mini 4. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at $599 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro at $799.

That's a big range, and it only gets bigger as you add storage and LTE. That's real money, in your pocket, for rent, for food, for car payments, for school, and for other important things in your life.

However, if you keep an iPad over the course of a year or two—or three or four—the distributed difference can be as little as a $10 or even $5 a month over the course of those years. Which may make a bigger screen, faster chipset, or other options more affordable than you think.

If you have absolutely no money to work with, the iPad mini 2 is a good starting tablet and the iPad Air is a very good one.

If you prefer to balance price and performance, iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2 are still good tablets that will serve you well for at least a few years to come.

If price is no object, the iPads Pro are not just top-of-the-line, but state-of-the-art.

terrific tablets, and the iPad Pro is arguably the best ever.

Display size

All of Apple's iPads now have Retina displays, which means they're all high density and look great, even close up. The iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 4 both have 7.9-inch screens and 2048x1536 resolution, which works out to 326 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7-inch screen at 2048x1536, which works out to 264ppi. The iPad Pro has a 12.9-inch screen at 2732x2048, which is the same 264ppi. The 12.9-inch model has a 2732 x 2048 display and the 9.7-inch model has a 2048 x1536 display. Both are also 264ppi.

That means the iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 4 have the highest display density — the same as that of the iPhone 6s. That's because it's the same number of pixels shrunk down to even smaller size. Since you might have to hold it closer, it probably won't make much real-world difference. On paper, however, it's the sharpest iPad Apple makes.

The iPad Air Air 2 aren't quite as dense. That's because, while they're the same resolution as the mini, they're slightly larger to fill the bigger space. Since you might hold it further away, it also won't make that much real-world difference. Likewise the iPad Pro.

With the exception of the iPad mini 2, all the iPads also now include laminated displays, which make the pixels look like they're inside the glass.

Both iPads Pro have some of the most advanced displays Apple has ever shipped. They include custom timing controllers to ramp up the refresh rate for Apple Pencil, but also more. The 12.9-inch model has a 2732x2048 laminated Retina display. The 9.7-inch model has a 2048x1536 laminated Retina display.

The 9.7-inch version also supports the wider DCI-P3 gamut, same as digital movie theaters, for exceptionally vivid and accurate colors, especially in the magentas and reds. It's also 25% brighter and 40% less reflective. Perhaps even more impressively, it's True Tone technology uses two four-channel ambient light sensors to read the color temperature of the room and ensure the display matches it, making whites look really white.

For ultra-sharp graphics and high portability, iPad mini 4 can't be beat.

For photography, reading, and more, there's never been a better display than the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

For art, productivity, and more, there's never been a bigger display than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Weight and size

The iPad mini 4 is the lightest iPad Apple makes. At 0.65 pounds (298.8 grams), it's is around two-thirds the weight of the 0.96 pound (437 grams) iPad Air 2 and less than half the weight of the 1.57 pounds (713 grams) iPad Pro. The lighter the iPad, the easier it is to use one-handed and to hold up for long periods of time.

Likewise smallness. It would take roughly two iPads mini 4 side-by-side to equal the size of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. That's twice as much to fit into your bag and carry around.

If you travel or commute a lot and you just want something to throw in your bag, purse, or jacket pocket, the iPad mini 4 could be ideal.

If you need the biggest canvas possible and you're going to use it at a desk or on a couch or bench, the iPad Pro could still be fine, and the iPad Air, right in between.

Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard

The iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2 can use Bluetooth keyboards and capacitive styluses, but the iPads Pro take it to another level. Though optional, you can get the Smart Keyboard which attaches to and is powered by new Smart Connectors right on the iPad Pro. That means it's not dependent on Bluetooth. Third party keyboards can also attach the same way.

The Pencil isn't just a stylus either. It not only feels like a real pen or pencil, it provides pressure sensitivity and can even tilt for things like shading. If you've been waiting for an iPad experience as good or better than a Wacom, the iPad Pro could offer it.

If connected keyboards or Apple Pencil are important to you, get an iPad Pro.

Split View multitasking

One of the new, headline features in iOS 9 is multi-app multitasking for iPad. It includes picture-in-picture (PiP), which lets you keep watching video while you work on something else; slide over app access, so you can quickly do a few things in a sidebar and then go right back to your main workspace; and split view, which lets you run two full-blown apps side-by-side. All of them are huge boons to iPad productivity, but due to chipset and memory requirements, they're not all available on all older iPads.

Picture-in-picture (PiP) and slide over work on all current iPads. Thanks to the need for 2 GB of memory minimum, split view only works on iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2, and the iPads Pro.

Who should get the iPad mini 2?

The iPad mini 2 comes with 7.9-inches of 2048x1536 Retina display and a fast Apple A7 processor. It's identical in most ways to the original iPad Air. It's just $130 cheaper than both the original iPad Air and the iPad mini 4.

The iPad mini 2 does not have the Touch ID, Apple Pay, a laminated screen, Apple A8 processor, fast networking, 128 GB or gold finish options, or split view multitasking, but if all you want a small tablet at the lowest price possible, you want the iPad mini 2.

Who should get the iPad mini 4?

The iPad mini 4 is almost identical to the iPad Air 2. It's just smaller and denser, with a 7.9-inch, 2048x1536 Retina display, and an Apple A8 instead of an Apple A8X chipset. It also costs $100 less.

The lightest iPad Apple has ever made, if you want a small but powerful tablet that you can easily take anywhere, can run split view multitasking, and has both 128 GB and gold finish options, you want the iPad mini 4.

Who should get the iPad Air 2

The iPad Air 2 is a bigger, more powerful version of the iPad mini 4, with a 9.7-inch, 2048x1536 Retina display, and a really fast Apple A8X processor.

It's no longer the biggest or most powerful—that distinction now belongs to the iPads Pro—but if you don't need a connected keyboard or Apple Pencil, you want a larger display that's still light and easy to carry around, can run split view multitasking, and has both 128 GB and gold finish options, you want the iPad Air 2.

Who should get the 9.7-inch iPad Pro?

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro takes everything that was great about the original and makes it even greater. It's faster and more powerful, it supports the Smart Connector and Smart Keyboard, and it supports the Apple Pencil. It's also got just about the best looking and most advanced display Apple's ever made, which is saying something.

If you want the ultimate blend of power and portability, you want the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

Who should get the 12.9-inch iPad Pro?

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro takes the iPad to the next level. As big as a MacBook, it lets you see and work at full-scale, including two apps side-by-side at a scale that's almost 9.7-inches each. It supports the Smart Connector and Smart Keyboard, and it supports the Apple Pencil. That makes it not just a power-house, but a workhorse.

If you want the ultimate canvas for creativity or productivity, you want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Still undecided?

If you're still having trouble choosing between the iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2, or one of the iPads Pro, jump into our iPad discussion forums and the best community in mobile will happily help you out.

Bottom line, don't spend money you don't have, but don't skimp if you don't have to. Your iPad will be one of the most often-used, most important possessions in your life for months and maybe years to come. Get as much iPad as you can reasonably afford, has the best balance of portability and power for you, and then enjoy!

6 min ago 2By Rene RitchieThe Apple Watch can alert you to a notification but if you miss it or just can't get to it, they're all safely stored for you in Notification Center. They can build up, so you may want to clear some or all of them out. Here's how!

35 min agoBy iMore.comLooking for a protective iPhone 7 case that doesn’t look ugly and add a ton of bulk to your phone? If so, check out Seidio’s Dilex case for great protection with its own fun style. The four corners have extra protection to help during drops, and today you can pick one up for $19.95.

13 hours agoBy Joseph KellerWe're always on the lookout for the best apps on the iPhone and iPad App Store. This week, find your perfect credit card with NerdWallet, fly through the cosmos with Galaxy on Fire 3, and get great productivity apps.

Reader comments

Which iPad should you get: iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad mini?

There's one thing missing in all of this calculus - the Apple Store refurbished department. The iPads you get there are as good as new (new shell, battery, and anything else needed is fixed), full one year warranty with AppleCare available, and the savings make all of these decisions irrelevant. A 128GB iPad Air WiFi is only $529, iPad Mini 2 (when in stock - varies hourly so keep looking) is only $439; add $90-$100 for cellular. And prices only get better as you decrease your storage needs. Other than touch ID, I just don't see how much value there is in the Air 2 over the Air, and even more so between the Mini 3 and Mini 2. Do yourself a favor and check out the refurb store frequently.

I'm upgrading from a white iPad 3 16 gig to a Space Grey 64 gig iPad Air 2. My 3 is still running okay but it's noticably slower than before. I'm going to pass my 3 down to my son so at least this way we get to big Christmas presents done with one purchase.

I have an iPad 2. I want to upgrade and my choices are between a Mini 4, Air 2, and the new Pro 9.7. I use iPad's for consumption and light to moderate iMovie editing. I don't care much for the Pencil or smart connector with keyboards. I really liked the future proof aspects of getting the new Pro until I saw it has no more ram than the 4 inch SE. Seems great to put 2gb of ram in the SE or iPad mini 4 but not great in the "Pro" 9.7. The mini 4 is currently $299 at retailers on sale and the air 2 is $399. I am not sure the pro is much more future proof with 2gb of ram and costing $200-300 more than the other options. I don't need the mini 4 for travel I just like the lighter feel and size for one handed reading and web browsing, but I assume the Air2 is super light compared to my ipad2. Any thoughts on which is most future proof between the Air2 and Mini4 and if my light needs justify the bump up to the "pro jr?"

You're gonna need this guide. Apple's product lineup has gotten so cluttered and confusing, it's become a chore to make a choice. Five, count them, five iPads to choose from with a hundred variations. I don't think things have been this messy since 1997 when Steve came back to Apple and cleared the deck. Apple, stop reacting to the market and own it. Stop focusing on covering every single market niche and focus instead on releasing world changing products again.

The only reason the lineup is cluttered is because they forgot that the only thing that differentiates the iPad Pro is the screen size. This new iPad is, in effect, an iPad Air 3. Pencil support does not an iPad Pro make.

I'm reading Steve Jobs biography right now, and recently read about him drawing 4 quadrants and saying 'this is simple. we need one product for each quadrant, that's it.' Apple needs to remember this, because cutting product lines cut costs, including layoffs , and Apple became profitable again after several years of hemorrhaging money.

I'm looking at the Air 2 as well. I had iPad Mini 3 w/retina but the device was too small for decent sized keyboard case /onscreen keyboard. I did like the portability, but I discovered that you can't have both a decent sized integrated keyboard and a very portable screen.